We consider ourselves true connoisseurs when it comes to appreciating the beauty of dry beans, and I have to say, I have never been quite so mesmerized by a bean as I was cracking open pods of San Bernardo Blue the first summer we grew it. Originally collected in a village of the same name in Northern Italy, our stock seed came to us from our friends at the Experimental Farm Network. Tall, vigorous and productive climbing vines hang heavy with pods. The stunning blue color of the seed coat is unlike any we've seen and is apparently sensitive to the temperature it matures at: slate blue-grey in hotter temperatures, rich deep cobalt in our cooler PNW harvest time. Like all beans the color changes over time in storage as the pigments oxidize. While on the later side of maturity for our far northern location, we haven't had any trouble successfully harvesting them at our home farm.
Sometimes known elsewhere as "Nonna Agnes blue bean" we, along with EFN, collectively decided to rename it from the arbitrary name given (it has no real connection to anyone by that name) to one that reflects its place of origin.
110 days. UO

Packet: 15 beans

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Direct seed after the last frost date when the soil has warmed.

Pole beans produce over a long season so multiple sowings are unnecessary.

Note: Beans prefer well-drained soil.

PLANTING DEPTH:

SPACING:

4-6 seeds per linear foot in rows 12" apart. Depending on your trellis system, you may also sow 4-6 seeds around each pole.

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 65-90F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Low to average. Beans prefer well-drained warm soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Beans prefer warm soils and may rot at lower temperatures. This is particularly true for white-seeded varieties. You love beans. Patience.

To increase yields in areas where beans have not previously been grown, use an inoculant to introduce rhizobia bacteria into the soil.

Pole beans require trellising, fencing, or poles!

Allow pods to dry on plant and pick often.

Bean, Pole Dry, 'San Bernardo Blue'